Abstract
The pyrolysis behavior of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) in the presence of commercially available oxides catalysts was investigated using thermogravimetry. The pyrolysis proceeded under a heating rate of 5 degrees C/min in the temperature range of 200-650 degrees C. The thermogravimetric properties in terms of reduction in maximum degradation temperature and percent conversion were studied. The silica gel mesoporous catalyst, with a greater pore size and surface area, was found to be the most active materials in terms of reduction in maximum degradation temperature and increase in percent conversion. The alumina acidic, silica ppt, and alumina neutral catalysts also showed good results; however, their effects were less pronounced as compared to silica gel. The effects of these different catalysts show that surface area, pore size, and number of acidic sites are found to be the major factors for the energy efficient degradation of polymers.